The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-20
UNABLE TO AGREE.
The Jury in the HaddOck Murder Case at
Sioux City, Iowa, Discharged.
Eleven of the Jurors Believe the Prisoner
InnOcent-Charges and Counter
Charges of Bribery Made.
ELEVEN TO ONE FOR ACoUIrrAL.
The Jury In the HaddOck Murder Case
are Discharged by the Judge.


Sioux CITY, April 1.-THE jury in the
case of John Arensdorf, charged with the
murder of Rev George G. Haddock, disa-
greed and were finally discharged by the
court at 1850 a. M. to-day. The Jury
stood eleven for acquittal and one for con-
viction. Dennis 0'Conneil was the Jury
man who stood out for conviction, and
when the Jury was before the court he said
that his Judgment was final. The court
thereupon discharged the jury from
further service.
There were but few persons in the court
room when the Judge asked the jury to
report. Foreman Z. P. Webster said that
all of the jurors we're agreed, but that one
stood somewhat stubbornly against the
large majority.
Juror O'ConneH, who is a farmer living
in Liberty Township, arose and replied to
this remark in q feeling manner. He said
he did not wish to be considereda a stubborn
man, but that he had taken an oath before
God and man to honestly determine
the case as far as he was con-
cerned, and that he had endeavored to
regard that obligation. If he were to
remain in the jury's room month he
could not and would not change his opin-
ion. Mr.. O'Connells eyes filed with tears
and his voice trembled from emotion. No
one who beard him could doubt the sin
centy Of his motive. Judge Lewis there
upon discharged the jury from further con-
sideration of the case. Rumors from the
Jury room revealed that the first ballot
stood ten for acQuittal and two for con-
viction. The vote of G. @. Goss, of Cor
rectonville, was cast for conviction on the
charge Of conspiracy. This young man is
the one who declared on examination rs
juror that he did not think he could give
fair and impartial verdict, and that he still
had an opinion. The subsequent ballots
stood as finally shown. 1t is said that
every possible argument was exhausted
upon Juror 0'COnnell to induce him TO
change his vote. He would not do so, nor
would he favor a verdict of murder in
the first degree, because he was opposed to
capital punishment. After the discharge
of the Jury, Foreman Webster went to
Judge Lewis and openly expressed the be-
lief that OCODnell was bought up by the
State. Judge Lewis responded that he be-
lieved the juror was honest in his con-
victious.
The following interview was held with
Juror o Connell to-day before his depart
UIe for home:
Have you heard any unpleasant COM
meDts on your action?" he was asked.
mo, have heard nothing of that sort.
If anything has been said it has not
reached my ears
THE friends of Ar6nsdorf are censur-
so soen. Would it have made any differ
eDce in the verdict if the court had sent
you backP''
'',No, sir. My mind was not made up in
a minute. If the court had kept rs there
five months my vote would have been the
same"
THE story is circulated that the Jurors
were permitted to have whisky in the
iury-room. Is that trueP
81 did not 500 anU n the iurV-r0np1 bI1t
those of them who wanted whisky had it
with them in their pockets, and drankit
during the progress OF the trial"
Had you any idea how the jury stood
before the case was submitted"
II was given to understand before the
case was closed that the defense knew the
Jury would stand eleven to one for ac-
ouittal, and that 1 held the key to the sit
uation."
How did they know that?'
Mr.. O'Connell exclaimed Indignantly, i
hadn't expressed my opinion one way or
| the other. They must have got their in
| formation from other sources. Perhaps
they polled the jury in advance"
Mr.. Webster told Judge Lewis that you
must have been bought by the prosecution.
/ What have you to say to tnat"
Il have been very care ful to avoid ever
/ even speaking to the judge or the States
/ Attorney during the tTla. always passed
them without so much ss saluting them"
Wouldn't there be more likelihood of
/ bribery on the other side?'
Il don't want to implicste any one"
| said Mr. 0'Connell, significantly.
| Were you offered a bribe2'
Il was asked to name my price,
"Are you willing TO say for publication
| that you were asked to narhe your price?'
| Il am."
WAS that offer made in behalf Of the
| prosecution or the desense?"
"It was in behalf of the defense"
"Who made the offer"
81 decline to say at present, as l DO not
wish to get him into trouble"
TEpRIRT ACCTnENT